February 2018 - 37

The Bidding Box
MODERATOR: BRUCE ROGOFF
brogoff@gargoylegroup.com

See the West and East hands that appear on pages 51 and 53 respectively, and try bidding
them with a regular partner. Compare how you performed with the expert pairs whose
auctions you can read about in this month's column. The North-South players are silent
unless otherwise noted. The competitors were not informed of any interference by the
opponents before the bidding commenced. The form of scoring is matchpoints with a 12 top.
The Bridge Bulletin auctions are meant to portray possible bidding sequences to one of
the top-scoring contracts using common methods.

This month we feature two of our
favorite Bridge Bulletin columnists
playing with their regular partners.
Renowned teacher and author Jerry
Helms ("Ask Jerry") spends most of his
bridge life giving seminars at regionals
and NABCs around the country. His
playing opportunities are limited, but
his 15-year partnership with Bob Bitterman has been quite effective, earning them numerous regional titles and
top-10 finishes in major NABC events.
They play a fairly standard 2/1 system
with strong notrumps and lighterthan-average opening bids.
It's George's World, and we're just
happy to be living in it. We all know
George Jacobs as a storyteller nonpareil, and creator of that lovable kooky
bridge character Claude Vogel. Well,
it turns out Claude really does exist ... I even talked to him personally!
They have, in fact, been playing bridge
together for many years, and all the
stories are true! Both have enjoyed
success with other partners, George
having won 11 major NABC titles while
Claude has won twice. Jacobs-Vogel
also play 2/1 with strong notrumps,
but their 1♣ openings can be short.
They describe their opening-bid style
as slightly sounder than average. Also,
George bid these hands via BBO from
Mexico, so he asked that we blame any
bad bids on the tequila.

Problem 1

North deals. None vulnerable.
West
♠AQ
♥ A J 10 8 7 6 4
♦AJ
♣53

East
♠865
♥Q
♦KQ96
♣AK862

Jerry

Bob
1♣
1NT
3♦
4♥
5♣
5♥

1♥
2♦
3♥
4♠
5♦
Pass
George
1♥
2♠
3♥
4♠
5♣
6♥

Claude
1♦
2♣
3♣
4♥
4NT
5♦
Pass

Minimum openers with 4-5 in the
minors are often difficult to handle
(unless it includes four spades), and
this hand is no exception. Bob was
comfortable rebidding 1NT as his
partnership allows for a stiff honor in
partner's major. 2♦ was game-forcing
checkback, allowing Bob to show his
diamonds. Jerry showed his strong
heart suit and initiated a cuebidding
sequence after partner's raise. Bob

pulled in a notch at the end, perhaps a
bit uncomfortable with his short trump
support. Both felt it was unclear who
should've "kicked the extra point."
Claude decided to alleviate the rebid
problem by opening diamonds first. He
chose to rebid his clubs after the artificial 2♠ game force, then admitted to
some heart help when partner rebid his
fine suit. George took over and asked
for key cards with 4♠. Claude showed
one key card, the ♥Q and the ♦K with
his next two bids, and George bid the
excellent slam.
Bridge Bulletin auction: As Jacobs-
Vogel. The concentration of values suggests emphasizing the minor suits.
Scores: 6NT(W) 12; 6♥(W) 10;
6♥(E) 8; 5NT(W) 7; 6NT(E) 6;
5♥(W) 5; 3NT(E) 4; 5♥(E), 5NT(E) 3
Jerry-Bob 5, George-Claude 10

Problem 2

East deals. N-S vulnerable.
West
♠QJ63
♥7
♦J742
♣AKJ3

East
♠K984
♥KQJ
♦Q95
♣Q62

Jerry

Bob
1♣
2♠
3♥
Pass

1♠
2NT
3♠

February 2018 Bridge Bulletin

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2018